Everyone has had this situation. Driving along just fine and then that little orange check light appears on your dashboard. You feel queasy in the tummy and ask yourself, “Do I need to pull over right now?” At Heath’s Auto Repair here in Cottonwood, -we can take care of this for you and get you back on the road.
Do Not Panic!
The check-in engine light is not always a sign the car is about to die on you. It is often as simple as a gas cap becoming loose. At other times it can be saying: “I am not feeling great, can we take a look?”
Check The Basics
Tighten the gas cap. Believe it or not, a loose or cracked cap is one of the most common causes.
Listen and feel. Is your car running rough, making new noises, or struggling up hills? If yes, take it seriously.
Check for flashing light. If it’s blinking—not just steady—that means there’s a more urgent issue, like a misfire that could damage your catalytic converter.
Decide if It’s Safe to Drive
Steady light, car feels normal? You can usually keep driving, but schedule a check soon.
Flashing light, or car feels rough? Pull over somewhere safe and call for help. That’s your car waving a red flag.
Get It Diagnosed
We will hook up your vehicle to a special diagnostic scanner capable of reading the error codes from your cars onboard computer. That will explain to us what needs to be done to get your car back in prime working condition.
Don’t Ignore It
Even if your car feels fine, that light is telling you something. Ignoring it could mean:
- Poor fuel economy
- Hidden damage that snowballs into expensive repairs
- Failing an emissions test (and no one wants that hassle)
Some Final Words
When a check engine light comes on the first thing to remember is not to panic. Think simple. Check your gas cap to ensure it is properly tightened. Keep an eye and an ear out for how your car feels and then bring it to the pros at Heath’s Auto Repair in Cottonwood. We will check it out; let you know what is going on and work to get your vehicle back on the road in the shortest time possible.
